Cuba’s ambassador to China, Alberto Blanco, emphasized that the purpose of this place is to protect and showcase the island’s tangible and intangible heritage through literature, film, folk music, and other cultural expressions.

The diplomat noted that the project is significant for strengthening cultural exchanges between the two countries.

In a video message, he thanked Huang Qiaoming (Simón) and others involved for their support, and invited the public to actively participate in the center’s activities to contribute to raise knowledge about Cuban culture and the ties between the two nations.

The Cuban consul general in Shanghai, Mileidy Aguirre, in turn, thanked China’s friends for allowing the Caribbean nation’s cultural wealth to be showcased.

“We hope that the people of Zhejiang, especially young people, will learn more about our country, our culture, and our typical products, such as coffee and rum, thereby deepening mutual understanding and bilateral exchanges,” she added.

Aguirre recalled that Cuba and China have shared ties since the mid-19th century, when a significant number of Chinese migrants arrived on the island in 1847, and since then they have been part of Cuban national history.

According to the consul, cultural exchanges are now a fundamental pillar of the bilateral relationship.

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